Withering Heights: Zac and Mr F

Today is the first night where 'Zac' is going to be 'Mr F's neighbour in the stables. For me this is great material for observation.

'Rookie' is 'Mr F's main 'neighbour' and has been since 'Mr F' has accepted the stable as a safe and comfortable place to be. At first 'Mr F' was very grumpy with 'Rookie' who was bursting with curiosity. "Hello adult horse! I am friendly, are you friendly too?" He stretched his little neck as far as he could to say hello in the foals typical manner of the mouthing motion. 'Rookie' is a cheeky, friendly little character and quite shy with humans as he hadn't been handled at all prior to arriving at 'Hill Farm'. He has by now got used to 'Jackie' and myself. I spend much time in 'Mr F's stable sitting on a heap of straw while I make notes. They spent much time examining each other or as much as the partition would allow. Over time 'Mr F' has become accustomed to 'Rookie' and now looks out for him when we bring them in, 'Rookie' is always the last to be lead in.

It's time to bring the boys in. We place them into their stables as normal and let them have their feed. When they have finished eating, we swap 'Zac' and 'Rookie' so that 'Zac' is now directly next to 'Mr F'.

'Zac' can't take his eyes off 'Mr F' once they are next to each other! He watches everything we do with such curiosity. I too am under close observation, everything I do to or with 'Mr F' is studied. I am sure 'Zac' would make notes if he could! He watches me attend to 'Mr F's hooves and he watches me clean his behind (minor scouring troubles at times). 'Zac' also watches with great interest all the many moderately heated discussions I have with 'Mr F' during grooming time. Especially so when 'Mr F' lifts his hind leg as warning NOT to go near the tickle spot, or when he swishes his tail. Each time 'Mr F' reacts annoyed, 'Zac' moves a couple of steps backwards and looks at me in surprise. Perhaps he is wondering why I am not moving away seeing that 'Mr F' is clearly expressing irritation. He doesn't know yet that this is our normal routine ... it's just how it is between the two of us during grooming time.

Meanwhile 'Rookie' looks a little put off in his temporary new quarters ... he is being ignored by 'Zac' and is not next to 'Mr F'.

I didn't take into account that 'Zac' is quite a bit taller than 'Rookie' and therefore can reach further across the stable partition. The first thing I had to move was 'Mr F's grass block. 'Zac' had a good go at it while 'Mr F' was more interested in his haylage for a moment.

'Zac'

8 months old

Yes, he doesn't doesn't always look grumpy.

He is in fact he a rather handsome young chap.

They seem to be getting on fine, although 'Zac' hasn't yet learnt that NO means NO. His shire mother 'Ester' hardly ever told him off, not even when he tried to mount her, which he did endlessly at some point. She would simply make a few steps forward, that's all she had to do to rid of him. 'Zac' did harrass her quite a lot especially prior to his castration. 'Ester' seemed glad when she was away from 'Zac' while he was weaned. From her point of view she has done her bit and she was glad to be back with 'Polly', the little white pony that was for a while with 'Mr F'.

As I return in the morning I as usual prepare 'Mr F' for being turned out. All is once more closely watched by 'Zac' who was already hovering near 'Mr F' as I pulled up with the car. 'Zac' still hasn't quite learnt that 'No' means 'No' ...